Getty Images has announced that Laureen Carruthers from British Columbia has been recognized as the winner and People’s Choice Award recipient for “this is Canada,” a photography competition that gave enthusiasts the opportunity to show off their visual definition of Canada. Judged by a panel of some of Canada’s foremost photographers and industry experts, nearly 5,000 images were submitted to showcase what makes Canadian life unique. Note: Getty did not release image files of the winning photographs.

The winning photograph, which was taken at the historic 153 Mile Ranch located just outside Williams Lake, B.C., depicts what is most important to the photographer and showcases Canada’s breathtaking landscape. Focused on the special moments in life that bring friends and family together, the photograph captures an afternoon outdoors.

The competition also recognizes Michelle Valberg of Ottawa as the runner up for capturing the raw beauty of the arctic. Taken in Wakeham Bay, Nunavik, the photograph is rich with culture, capturing the subject standing under an inuksuk wearing an amauti, a traditional parka worn by Inuit women and one of the world’s most interesting and unique pieces of clothing.

“We were overwhelmed by the number of Canadian photographers who entered,” said Andrew Delaney, Director of Creative Content for Getty Images. “The competition has empowered nearly one-thousand Canadian photographers to submit five-thousand authentic and regional images, providing a glimpse of the everyday life and special moments that make Canada such a unique place to live.”

The competition provided a platform for the country’s outstanding creative talent to show off their visual definition of Canada and gave photography enthusiasts the opportunity to become Getty Images contributors through the Flickr Collection.

The images submitted to the “this is Canada” photo competition were judged based on their quality, creativity, and artistic merit as well as representation of Canada. The judging panel consisted of:

In addition to the recognition as a Getty Images contributor through the Flickr collection, the first place winner receives a brand new Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Kit (approximately $3,000 value) and 2,000 AIR MILES® reward miles**. The runner up receives 2,000 AIR MILES® reward miles** and the opportunity to partner with Getty Images to offer content through the Flickr Collection on Getty Images’ website.